But if you want to be a banker you probably already know this: you want to live in New York. There, the average remuneration in the financial services industry hit $7,709 a week, which is more than $400,000 a year. It amounts to a 23 percent increase from the first quarter of 2009. It can pay for a better living. Of course, to be a banker in New York you can’t just be a banker, taking deposits and making loans to your local mom and pop business. Here you have to be a real Giant Vampire Squid.

ORDER THE BOOK

EDUARDO PORTER

Eduardo Porter writes about business, economics, and many other matters as a member of the New York Times editorial board. He has also worked as a journalist in Mexico City, Tokyo, London, São Paulo, and Los Angeles. He was the editor of the Brazilian edition of América Economía and covered the Hispanic population of the United States for The Wall Street Journal. He lives in New York.